Feb 28, 2008

Labuan (Jawi: لابوان) is the main island of the Malaysian Federal Territory of Labuan. Labuan is best known as an offshore financial centre and a tourist destination for nearby Bruneians and scuba divers. The name Labuan derives from the Malay word labuhan meaning anchorage.

Duty-Free Shopping - This is one of Labuan's known attractions. Its modern shopping centres carry a wide range of locally-produced as well as imported goods. Most popular are spirits and tobacco, textiles, chocolates and appliances. Every end of the year, the island hosts a month-long shopping carnival with attractive discounts. Cultural shows add to the excitement .

World Class Sport Fishing Destination - Pulau Labuan is surrounded by six smaller islands namely Pulau Kuraman, Pulau Daat, Pulau Rusukan Besar, Pulau Rusukan Kecil, Pulau Papan and Pulau Burong. The blue clear water around these idyllic islands is home to one of the world's richest coral and fishing grounds which offers unlimited deep sea tackling and coastal table-fish catches.

World War II Sites - Pulau Labuan is a significant historical destination particularly from the time of World War II. The Labuan War Cemetery, Allied Landing Point and Japanese Surrender Park are three major World War II sites attracting foreign and local visitors alike. A "Remembrance Day" is held every November at the Labuan War Cemetery to honour the 3,900 recorded graves of Fallen Heroes of World War II. This event is attended by Malaysian and foreign war veterans and family members of the Allied soldiers killed in action during the war between 1942 and 1945.

International Sea Sport Complex - Besides the various activities already mentioned, Labuan also hosts the International Sea Challenge in May every year which comprises of four events - the Underwater Treasure Hunt, Jet Sport Challenge, Cross Channel Swim Challenge and Big Game Fishing Tournament.

Wreck Diving - Pulau Labuan has one of the best wreck diving sites in Asia. There are four wreck sites on the island's locally known as The "Australian" Wreck, The "American" Wreck, The "Blue Water" Wreck and The "Cement" Wreck.

The Chimney - The Chimney is just a short drive from the town just like any other destination due to the island size. It is where the coal mining was done in the early days.

Bird Park - The bird park is just opposite of the Chimney. Consist of 3 major dome connected together. Houses a number of species of bird. Entrance is free.

Beach - As the Pearl of South China Sea, it has beautiful stretches of beach. The famous ones are Pohon Batu and Pancur Hitam where the locals hang out and have a BBQ picnic during the weekend.

Feb 27, 2008

Underwater World (Chinese: 圣淘沙海底世界) is an oceanarium located on the offshore Singapore island of Sentosa. Opened in 1991, it has more than 2,500 marine animals of 250 species from different regions of the world. The oceanarium is underground and it is owned by HawPar Corp. The Underwater World's ticket includes admission to the Dolphin Lagoon at Palawan Beach.

Underwater World has a 83 metre long travelator that moves visitors along a submerged glass-windowed tunnel from which they can look at an array of marine life including coral reef, stringrays, moray eels, turtles, sharks, and other fishes.

Underwater World is also involved in environmental and educational projects.

The Underwater World provides exclusive venues to host events such as ocean-themed functions.

The Underwater World and Dolphin Lagoon offers numerous adventures to the visitors. Some of them include:

Marine DiscoveryDive With the SharksDive With DugongSwim With the Dolphins

Underwater World Singapore9am to 9pm daily (Last admission at 8.30pm)

Dolphin Lagoon10.30am to 6pm daily (Last admission at 5.30pm)

Rates include single admission to Underwater World Singapore and Dolphin Lagoon.

Feb 18, 2008

Organic foods are produced according to certain production standards. For crops, it means they were grown without the use of conventional pesticides, artificial fertilizers, human waste, or sewage sludge, and that they were processed without ionizing radiation or food additives. For animals, it means they were reared without the routine use of antibiotics and without the use of growth hormones.

Organic foods are free from highly toxic pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, antibiotics and growth hormones, which are commonly used in intensive farming. Organic foods are free from artificial colourings, flavourings, addictives, sweeteners and unnecessary chemicals used in regular food manufacturing. Fresh organic produce contains 50% more vitamins, minerals, enzymes and other micro nutrients than intensively farmed produce. Going organic is the only practical way to avoid eating generically modified ( GM) food. Organic foods are vegetables, low calorie snacks, special food for diabetic and high blood pressure patients, natural fruit flavoured ice creams and bakery products that are devoid of sugar and come enriched with natuaral sweetners.

Sentosa HiPPO is the new topless land bridge that links you between the City and Sentosa. HiPPO offers free and easy, hop-on, hop-off, unlimited transfer between Orchard, Suntec City and Sentosa, for 2 days. Included in the Sentosa HiPPO package is a complimentary 1 hour Heritage City Tour that showcase the ethnics district of Singapore (Chinatown, Little India, and Kampong Glam), and the Civic District.

Singapore Ducktours, the first and only amphibious attraction in Asia is fun for the whole family! Experience an hour of thrills on our two-in-one city cum harbour tour. Ride the authentic Vietnam War craft that glides as well on land as on sea, with our entertaining Ducktainers onboard. It's a 60-minute wacky show-on-wheels!

Marvel at the historical landmarks as we bring you on land around the colonial Civic District on the Singapore Heritage Tour. Then, we'll bash through the woods for the ride's climax as we splash into waters! Enjoy the breeze as we go on waters to view highlights like Merlion Park, the Esplanade and Clifford Pier, all set against the city skyline.

Chinese, Japanese and Korean tourists can also follow the standard English tour commentary with running voiced narratives in their native languages.

Gather quirky facts of Singapore and enjoy loads of photo-taking opportunities! You will have a slashing time of guaranteed fun with the crew at Ducktours!

Tours are available daily from 10.00am to 6pm. Special night tours up to 9 pm may be available for certain seasons.

Feb 17, 2008

Sentosa, which means peace and tranquillity in Malay, is a popular island resort in Singapore, visited by some five million people a year.[1] Attractions include a two-kilometre long sheltered beach, Fort Siloso, two golf courses and two five-star hotels.

TransportSentosa can be reached from the Singapore mainland via a short causeway or Cable Car, which originates on Mount Faber and passes through HarbourFront en route.

The island is also accessible by the SGD$140 million Sentosa Express monorail, which has four stations on Sentosa. Opened in 15 January 2007, the terminus of the line is at the VivoCity shopping mall on the mainland, which is in turn served by the HarbourFront MRT Station of the North East MRT Line. The journey takes four minutes. The WaterFront Station of the monorail is expected to open in 2010.

Within Sentosa there are three bus services, identified as Blue, Yellow and Red lines, and a tram service called the Beach Train. Since 1998, passenger cars have been allowed to enter the island.

A Volvo B7RLE on the Blue Line. Buses currently serve as the main means of getting to and around Sentosa.

Sentosa offers a variety of attractions, museums and other facilities to provide a variety of experiences, recreation and entertainment to visitors.

Carlsberg Sky Tower

The Carlsberg Sky Tower is the tallest free-standing observation tower in Asia. At a height of 110 metres above ground and 131 metres above sea level, it offers visitors a panoramic view of Sentosa, Singapore, and the Southern Islands. On a clear day, the view extends to parts of Malaysia and Indonesia. At ground level, visitors enter a large disc-shaped airconditioned cabin fitted with glass windows all round. The cabin then revolves slowly as it ascends the column of the tower. The cabin has a capacity of 72 visitors.

The Sky Tower, first opened on 7 February 2004, is situated in the Imbiah Lookout zone in the centre of Sentosa and can be reached by Cable Car, Sentosa Luge Chair Lift, by Sentosa Express or by bus.

Butterfly Park and Insect Kingdom

The Butterfly Park is a landscape garden with over 15,000 live butterflies, representing more than fifty species. Housed in a cool outdoor conservatory, these butterflies range from the 25 millimetre (1 in) Eurema sari to the 150 mm (6 in) Papilio iswara.

The Insect Kingdom houses some 3,000 species of rare insects from around the world, including a 160 mm Dynastes Hercules beetle.

Underwater World and Dolphin Lagoon

Underwater World is an oceanarium located on the western part of Sentosa. Opened in 1991, the living museum has more than 2,500 marine animals of 250 species from different regions of the world. The oceanarium is underground and has an 83 metre long travelator that moves visitors along a submerged glass-windowed tunnel from which they can look at an array of marine life including coral reef, stringrays, moray eels, turtles, sharks, and other fishes.

The Underwater World also includes a Dolphin Lagoon which is home to some Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins, also known as the pink dolphins. Several "Meet-the-Dolphins" sessions are held daily to allow visitors to enter the waist-deep pool and interact with the dolphins at close proximity. A more involved "Swim-with-the-Dolphins' program, where visitors can interact extensively with the dolphins, is also available.

Songs of the Sea

The Songs of the Sea show, started on 26 March 2007, replaced the 25-year-old Musical Fountain show. This showcase is a key $30 million investment by Sentosa to enhance its entertainment product offerings and to attract more tourists. It is the world’s only permanent show set in the sea - boasting spectacular pyrotechnics displays, a live cast and an open-air viewing gallery which can comfortably accommodate 2,500 visitors. The show runs twice a night at 7.40pm and 8.40pm and lasts 25 minutes. An entry fee of S$6 is required for each show. [7]

Sentosa 4D Magix

The Sentosa 4D Magix is Southeast Asia's First Largest 4Dimensional Theatre. It was built at a cost of S$3.5 million and the state-of-the-art theatre offers a whole new generation of movie magic.

Cineblast

The Cineblast is Singapore's only cinema ride, opened on June 2007. The state-of-the-art cinema simulation ride will bring visitors on an extreme 3D log ride using the latest in simulation technology. The cinema is equipped with unique sound and light technology that is found in theme parks such as Universal Studios in the United States.

Merlion

The Merlion stands at 37 metres tall.

The Merlion statue recalls the story of the legendary Sang Nila Utama, who saw a lion in Singapore (originally known as Temasek) while hunting. The 37 metre (12 storey) high statue can be entered through the ground floor, and one can take the lift up to 12th floor to view the city state. Opened in 1996, it is the tallest Merlion in Singapore.

Musical Fountain

After operating for 25 years, the Musical Fountain went into the history of Sentosa when its last show was staged on 25 March 2007. It is now being replaced by The Songs of the Sea show. This nightly show that was staged in the past was used as a water fountain, with lasers and music. The refractive and reflective effect of the lasers against water particles from several directions create a three-dimensional image.

Feb 11, 2008

The Jurong BirdPark (Chinese: 裕廊飞禽公园; Malay: Taman Burung Jurong), is a tourist attraction in Singapore managed by Widlife Reserves Singapore. It is a landscaped park, built on the western slope of Jurong Hill. It is located within the Boon Lay Planning Area of the Jurong district and has an area of 202,000 square metres.The idea of a permanent bird exhibit was first conceived by Dr Goh Keng Swee, the then Minister for Defence, in 1968. During a World Bank Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Dr Goh visited its zoological garden and was impressed with its free-flight aviary. He sought to see that Jurong would be more than an industrial zone that Singaporeans would have a place where they could escape from urban life, where people could relax with nature. On 3 January 1971, Jurong BirdPark, built at a cost of S$3.5 million, was opened to the public.

The Jurong BirdPark is now a world-famous bird zoo wherein there are specimens of magnificent bird life from around the world, including a flock of one thousand and one flamingos. It is currently the world's largest bird park in terms of number of birds and second largest in terms of land area after Germany's Vogelpark Walsrode. There are over 9,000 birds of 600 species in the Jurong BirdPark. Of those, 29 are of endangered species.

In 2006, the Jurong BirdPark completed its S$10-million makeover. With the upgrading, the park now boasts a new entrance plaza, new birds' n ' buddies bird show, an African wetlands exhibit, a park-owned and managed Bongo Burgers restaurant, a Ben & Jerry's ice cream parlour, a gift shop and a bird hospital.

Today, the zoo is a model of the 'open zoo' concept. The animals are kept in spacious, landscaped enclosures, separated from the visitors by either dry or wet moats. The moats are concealed with vegetation or dropped below the line of vision. In the case of dangerous animals which can climb very well, moat barriers are not used. Instead, these animals are housed in landscaped glass-fronted enclosures.

The zoo has not expanded beyond the original 28 hectares. However, 40 hectares of secondary forest were later developed into the Night Safari. The remaining undeveloped land has been kept as wooded land. This and the waters of Upper Seletar Reservoir contribute to the Zoo, giving it a sense of natural, unrestricted space.

Among various attractions that the zoo offers, a highlight is the "Breakfast with an Orangutan" programme which allow visitors to meet and interact closely with the orangutans in the zoo, including the famous primate Ah Meng who is an icon of the Singapore tourism industry. Animal shows, as well as token feedings coupled with live commentaries by keepers, are also the daily staple in the Singapore zoo.